Jamie Stapleton and Kristopher Easton jailed for drugs conspiracy

Jamie Stapleton and Kristopher Easton were caught by police surveillance acting as middle men in the supply chain of cocaine, Southampton Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Richard Withey described how police watched Stapleton drive to the Stoneham Arms public house in Bassett Green Road, Southampton, on the evening of March 14.

Minutes later, another vehicle, driven by John Allen, was seen to leave the pub and go to the Chamberlayne Arms in North East Road, Southampton.

Police intercepted the vehicle and a search unearthed two plastic bags hidden under a passenger seat containing 1.01 kilos of cocaine with a street value of £50,000.

Officers found 20 fingerprints belonging to Stapleton, 26, on the bags.

On April 8, police stopped Stapleton driving a van in Lodge Road, Portswood, and found cocaine with a street value of £25,000 hidden in a cubbyhole behind the steering wheel.

Kristopher Easton’s fingerprints were found on the two bags containing the class A drug.

Easton, 25, of Hulse Road, Southampton; Stapleton, of Avro Close, Southampton and Allen, 32, of Pimpernel Close, Locks Heath, all admitted being concerned in the supply of a class A drug.

Richard Onslow, defending Easton, said his client received £50 for acting as a drugs courier and deeply regretted his actions.

David Jenkins, for Stapleton, said the 26-year-old began taking cocaine in 2007 after being made redundant. He said: “He proceeded to squander £26,000 on drugs and when he ran out of money, he succumbed to the temptation on two occasions of carrying drugs from the main dealer to the subsidiary dealer.

“He was the middle man.”

Judge Peter Ralls jailed Stapleton for five-and-a-half years and Easton for three-and-a half years. Allen’s sentencing was adjourned to a later date.